What Steps Should You Take Immediately After Being in an E-Scooter Accident?

E-scooters offer an eco-friendly, convenient means of transport in many major cities throughout the United States. However, with the increasing popularity of e-scooters, scooter accidents have become a growing cause of concern. Whether you’re a Las Vegas resident or a tourist zipping around our city’s vibrant downtown, understanding what to do after an e-scooter accident is essential to optimize your chances of seeking compensation.

The legal team at Sam & Ash injury law has put this guide together to help you know what steps to take if you have suffered injuries on an e-scooter.

Steps To Take After an E-Scooter Accident

The chaotic moments following an electric scooter accident may leave you overwhelmed and uncertain about where to turn for help. Try to remember these steps:

  • Protect Yourself from Further Injury – Prioritize your safety. If possible, immediately get out of an active traffic lane and to a safe location.
  • Check on Others – If the accident involved multiple people, verify their conditions and check whether anyone needs an ambulance. Then, request emergency medical aid if needed.
  • Call the Police – Reporting the accident is crucial to your claim. The police report serves as an official record that can prove critical when establishing the facts of the accident, such as who was at fault.
  • Gather Evidence – Start collecting information. Take pictures of your injuries, the wrecked e-scooter, the accident scene, and any other factors that might have contributed to the crash. Get contact details of witnesses if possible.
  • Get Medical Attention – Even if you feel fine, visit a medical professional for an evaluation. Some injuries might not show symptoms immediately. Having documentation of your injuries related to the accident is essential to your claim.
  • Contact a Lawyer – Consult a seasoned Las Vegas personal injury lawyer who understands Nevada’s e-scooter laws. This skilled guidance will be crucial in optimizing your compensation.

Common Injuries After Being in an Electric Scooter Crash

E-scooters offer little protection to riders. That means that even minor incidents can result in a wide array of injuries.

Some of the most common injuries that can occur during an electric scooter accident include the following:

Lacerations and Abrasions

Falling off an e-scooter can cause cuts and scrapes, which can lead to infection if not treated promptly. More severe abrasions may require intensive and costly surgeries such as skin grafts.

Broken Bones and Fractures

E-scooter accidents often result in broken bones or fractures, particularly in the arms, wrists, and legs. These injuries can occur because riders instinctively use their limbs to protect themselves during a fall. A broken elbow or collarbone can require surgery to repair, depending on the type of fracture.

Dental Injuries

The impact of an electric scooter crash can result in chipped, cracked, or lost teeth. Due to these injuries’ pain and aesthetic consequences, you may require urgent dental care, which can be incredibly expensive.

Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

The risk of a concussion or a more severe traumatic brain injury is significant in an e-scooter crash. Symptoms vary widely, from headaches and dizziness to memory problems and mood changes. Therefore, an early medical evaluation is crucial after a crash. These injuries may not present symptoms immediately. But a healthcare professional may use diagnostic testing to identify the condition before the symptoms are apparent.

Back Injuries

Electric scooter accidents can cause back injuries ranging from minor muscle strains to more severe ones, such as ruptured discs. In the worst cases, injuries to the spinal column may result in lifelong paralysis.

Psychological Trauma

Aside from physical injuries, an e-scooter accident can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Given the potential consequences, the need for immediate and possibly ongoing medical attention underscores the importance of seeking appropriate compensation following an e-scooter accident. If someone else caused the scooter accident, you should not be left with a stack of medical bills.

Getting Compensation for an Electric Scooter Accident

After an electric scooter accident, you may face many physical, financial, and emotional burdens. The losses you may incur due to accident-related injuries may include the following:

  • Medical expenses
  • Loss of income due to inability to work
  • Pain and suffering
  • Long-term disability

Seeking compensation to offset these hardships will involve:

Identifying the Responsible Parties

Determining who is at fault in an e-scooter accident can be complicated. Potentially liable parties could include other motorists who weren’t looking out for scooters, the e-scooter company, or the city if unsafe road conditions contributed to the accident.

Gathering Evidence

Reliable evidence will bolster your claim. Such evidence includes medical reports, accident scene photos, witness statements, traffic cam videos, and other relevant information.

Calculating Your Damages

Compile a detailed account of your losses. Include medical expenses, loss of income, property damage, and other costs incurred due to the accident. Your lawyer can help you assess the value of non-economic losses such as pain and suffering.

Filing a Claim or Lawsuit

Our Sam & Ash Injury Law attorneys can file a claim on your behalf with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Your attorney will negotiate on your behalf to reach a settlement that compensates you fairly. If negotiations fail, you may need to file a lawsuit to pursue the compensation you deserve.

An experienced e-scooter accident lawyer at Sam & Ash Injury Law can guide you every step of the way.

Contact Our Experienced Las Vegas Injury Lawyers for Help

If you have suffered injuries in an e-scooter crash someone else caused in Nevada, you deserve What’s Right. The experienced attorneys at Sam & Ash Injury Law thoroughly understand e-scooter accident cases. Our knowledgeable and experienced team will handle your case with compassion and diligence and work to recover full compensation for your losses. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your legal options. We are ready to help you handle the aftermath of an e-scooter accident and fight for your rights.